FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy is close to signing with English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers for three years, the South African international forward said in a newspaper interview.
”I’m sad because I’m leaving many friends behind at FC Porto. Real brothers. It was at FC Porto that I experienced success and some of my happiest moments. But going to England is a dream,” he told Tuesday’s daily newspaper Jornal de Noticias.
McCarthy (28) gave no financial details, but the newspaper said the English club would pay $3,2-million for the player, who was an instrumental part of FC Porto’s 2004 Champions League-winning side.
He will undergo a medical at the English club later on Tuesday and if he gets a clear bill of health the player will be officially unveiled at Ewood Park on Wednesday, it added.
McCarthy joined FC Porto from Spanish side Celta Vigo in July 2003. He has long wanted to move to England but FC Porto have previously blocked his attempts to transfer. — Sapa-AFP